1,000 Bath children line up at Summer School Games

A London 2012 legacy programme inspired more than 1,000 children to take part in the inaugural Summer School Games at the University of Bath last week.

The Sports Training Village played host to a range of competitions, including athletics, tennis, beach volleyball, wheelchair basketball and water polo as both non-disabled and disabled pupils from across the West showcased their skills.

County champions were crowned in athletics, mini-tennis and rounders. Marshfield took the tennis title after a close final against Golden Valley, while on the athletics track, 17 secondary schools competed in a Super 6 Team format alongside a primary Quad Kids competition.

Oldfield finished as runners-up in the Year 9 rounders event following defeat to Priory from North Somerset.

Related content

The Games were opened by Great Britain judo player Tom Reed and chair of the local organising committee and head teacher of Wellsway School, Andrea Arlidge. The opening ceremony saw cultural performances from schoolchildren, as well as some inspiring words from Reed and rising athletics star Julz Adeniran.

Reed said: “The event has been a fantastic day of high-class competitive school sport. Walking around, you could really feel the excitement and passion from the children.

“This event is a great platform to inspire the new generation of top athletes.”

Arlidge added: “I am very proud of how the event has gone. It has been a great event with lots of school children representing their schools with pride.

“However, this is only the first West of England Summer School Games and next year’s event will be even bigger and better.”

The Games were staged by the West of England Sport Trust (Wesport) and were designed to maximise the benefit of the country hosting the Olympics, delivering on the promise Lord Seb Coe made in 2005.

Wesport chief executive officer Steve Nelson said: “The School Games is a great chance for young people of school age to have fun competing in sport.

“We are proud to have played our part in bringing this event to life for thousands of young people from across the West of England.”